Local Olive Oil excels at SA Olive Awards.

Ian Carnegie with his award winning oil
Photo Courtesy Sue Pugh - Purple People Marketing

Good Green Oil, produced by Indigo Ridge, a family run farm adjacent to Riebeek Kasteel won Gold at the SA Olive Awards held in Paarl on 23^rd August 2012.

The oil won in the Medium category. The oils are adjudicated for their tastes and bouquets in Delicate, Medium and Intense categories.

This is the third award the farm has won and owner Ian Carnegie ascribes the farm’s success to the dedication of his staff, sound farming methods and the diversity of olive trees grown. Good Green Oil is available in Riebeek Kasteel at a number of hand-picked outlets.  Indigo Ridge can be contacted on 084 583 1883 or info@indigoridge.co.za

Het Vlock Casteel

Next up on the list of must sees in the Riebeek Valley is Het Vlock Casteel which is the first stop on the right as you drive into Church Street. Het Vlock Casteel’s shop comes with a warning ‘come armed with cash or credit cards’ as you will want to stock up on some seriously scrumptious treats. Homemade dessert toppings, jams, chutney’s, olives, oils and much more are all available to taste while being assisted by highly competent staff – many of whom have been on the farm their whole lives and are actively involved in production.

Môrester, the farm on which Het Vlock Casteel is situated, has been in the Vlock family since 1958 and in addition to olives grows approximately 23 cultivars of grapes mainly for the export market. They also make wine including Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Sauvignon Blanc.

The farm runs grape tours from end December to end March which literally cover the whole process from vineyard to pack house and offer the whole family an authentic farm experience. Het Vlock really has something for everyone and is well worth a visit whether you are a wine enthusiast, an olive lover or are simply looking for a bit of retail therapy.

For more info on grape tours and wine and olive oil tasting visit www.hetvlockcasteel.co.za or contact 022 448 1488

Tulbagh Spring Arts Festival

This is definitely one not to be missed, The Tulbagh Spring Arts Festival. Taking place from the 24-26 August 2012, the festival celebrates arts in all forms and corresponds with the appearance of the spring wildflowers.

Abundance is this year’s festival theme with the line-up of events including choral and classical performances, all types of visual, painted and graphic art and land art featuring stimulating outdoor installations.

The Riebeek Valley is the perfect spot to make your base for a festival meander, being literally a stone’s throw from Tulbagh which in all likelihood is fully booked.

For more information on highlights have a look at the Facebook page

http://www.facebook.com/tulbaghspringartsfestival or contact Jayson Clark on 023 230 11 71.

Valley Olympian sends photos and feedback

Our very own Riebeek Valley Olympian, Ashleigh Moolman Pasio, who incidentally was married at Café Felix two years ago, sent a huge thank you to everyone for the support. She also sent some fabulous images and her impressions of what she describes as a 'somewhat surreal' experience.

The Olympic Village is 'a world of its own' and has everything including doctors, dentists and hairdressers. The food hall is apparently huge and caters for all tastes, she describes dining next to the likes of lleyton Hewitt and Sir Chris Hoy. 

Team South Africa comprised 125 athletes and stayed in an apartment block called 'Heritage' which they shared with Spain and the Dominican Republic.

'The height of excitement, hard work and commitment, and the height of disappointment, all in the space of 4 hours!',is how Ashleigh describes her Road Race experience, after finishing 16 th she says she is proud of their efforts.

 Ashleigh participated in the Time Trial as well in which she finished 24th

Thank you to Ashleigh for these wonderful images which really give a sense of The Games.

Riebeek Valley wines warmly received in Windhoek

The Valley’s very own Riebeek Cellars and Kloovenburg participated in the Namibia Expo recently in Windhoek. As could be expected wines from the region were very warmly received. Pictured below are Eric Saayman (Riebeek Cellars winner of last year’s General Smuts trophy for his Kasteelberg Viognier), Jolene Janse van Rensburg (Santam Swartland Wine- & Olive Route) and Stephan Basson (Babylon’s Peak Private Cellar).



Courtesy http://www.swartlandwineandolives.co.za/



Spring definitely on its way to the Swartland and West Coast region



Courtesy www.ctru.co.za



August is a beautiful time to visit the Swartland region. Wherever you look there are scenes of early spring and there is definitely a renewed energy in the air after the winter cold. From mid-August Burgherspost Nature Reserve will be hosting flower game drives leaving from Cloof near Darling and the Kleenex Wild Flower Hotline is up and running to identify flower hotspots in the area. There is no need to pay to see wild flowers though as they are busy blossoming everywhere and The Riebeek Valley is the perfect place to break your journey, being a stone’s throw from all the wild flower hotspots. Be warned though, September is often too late so make a plan to see the flowers in August.

Courtesy www.kontrei.co.za

Rebecca Solomon

Well worth a visit

The weather seems to be improving (I’m crossing my fingers as I type that) and the Swartland scenery is utterly spectacular at present with fields of golden canola in bloom and everything lush and green after the rains. It is a wonderful time to take a leisurely drive and explore some of the gems that the Riebeek Valley has achieved recognition for.

One such gem is Kloovenburg, stretching along the lower slopes of Kasteelberg (Castle Mountain). It is a wonderful place to start your foray into the Riebeek Valley, being the first farm on your left as you pass over the Bothmaskloof Pass before turning into Church Street – literally the gateway to the Valley.

Kloovenburg was planted with grapes in the 18^th century, but it wasn’t until 1998 that Pieter du Toit produced the first Shiraz on the farm. This was the first of many successful wines and later vintages have won numerous top awards.

A visit to the farm is a delight and you’ll be treated with warmth and hospitality. Kloovenburg is not only known for its wines but also a range of olive products ranging from oils and tapenades to body butters and shower gels.  Their annual Christmas Market Day has become fixture on the Cape Town Calendar and is well worth a visit to stock up on some delicious wines, olives and other homemade goodies for the festive season. For more information on opening and tasting times or the hiking trails please contact info@kloovenburg.com